I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on
the ORPHAN ELEVEN by Gennifer Choldenko Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my
post and make sure to enter the giveaway!
Four orphans have escaped from the
Home for Friendless Children. One is Lucy, who used to talk and sing. No one
knows why she doesn't speak anymore; silence is her protection.
The orphans find work and new friends
at a traveling circus. Lucy loves caring for the elephants, but she must be
able to speak to them, and to warn others of danger. If Lucy doesn't find her
voice, she'll be left behind when the circus goes on the rails. Meanwhile,
people are searching for Lucy, and her puzzling past is about to catch up with
her.
With more than 2 and a half million books sold,
Choldenko’s best known Tales from Alcatraz series, has been called “A
cornerstone series in contemporary children’s literature.” Al Capone Does My
Shirts—the first book in the series—was a Newbery Honor Book and the recipient
of twenty other awards. All four books in the series were Junior Library Guild
selections and garnered many starred reviews. Gennifer’s newest novel: Orphan
Eleven will be out May 26. Publisher’s Weekly has said this about Orphan
Eleven: “This uplifting tale of hope, survival and belonging has all the
ingredients to become a beloved middle grade book.” Gennifer lives in the San
Francisco Bay area with her loyal husband and naughty dog.
Dan Unmasked by Chris Negron Format: ARC Paperback
Publisher:Harper Collins Number of Pages: 368 Publishing: July 28th, 2020 Source: Blue Slip Media and publisher in exchange for an honest review
Opening Line: "I almost miss it."
Dan and Nate are best friends, they both love baseball, George Sanderson's Captain Nexus comic books, and superheroes. They even host special release day readings with their baseball team in Nate's basement when each new comic book comes out. Then one day during practice, while Nate and Dan are talking, Nate is struck in the head by a baseball. Nate is seriously injured and is placed into a medically induced coma so that the swelling on his brain can be controlled. The prognosis is bleak and dependent on whether he regains consciousness once the sedation is removed. Dan blames himself for his friend's injury but is determined to find a way to help Nate.
Courtney is Dan's younger brother, Ollie's new friend. She's just started to hang out at the release day readings and hasn't learned all of the rules yet but after Nate's injury, she tries to rally Dan and Ollie into working on a comic book project. She observes how they need each other at this time and pressures them to work together. Ollie will do the illustrations, Courtney will develop the story and Dan will add the lettering. Dan sees the project as a way to help Nate find his way back home by putting Nate into the story as a superhero inspired by the Captain Nexus comic books. They hope to finish the comic for Nate's birthday, and in time to enter a Fan Art competition hosted by Captain Nexus with the grand prize of meeting George Sanderson. After their entry wins, the group tries to get advice from Mr. Sanderson on how to help Nate return home, but Mr. Sanderson has his own past traumatic event to overcome before he can be any help to Dan and his friends. Maybe together they can find the answer.
I wasn't into superheroes growing up, only occasionally read comic books, and played softball just that one summer for the YMCA, but Dan Unmasked sounded like such a unique book and so I was excited to be able to read it. Plus a bonus, that cover is gorgeous. There are a lot of pieces to this story and I really liked how Negron blended the comic books with baseball, two things that instantly grab at your attention. I did feel quite sorry for Dan when Nate is injured, he takes all the blame on himself. He's convinced that his friend is somehow stuck in an alternative world after entering this sort of portal (the Nexus from his favorite comic book) and he needs to help him find his way back home. Dan's continuously searching for answers, be it getting in contact with George Sanderson to discuss the Nexus to developing his own comic book with Ollie and Courtney. Then Dan learns about Familiar Auditory Sensory Training or (FAST) a neurorehabilitation approach that uses stories told by those familiar to Nate as auditory stimulations and Dan is again convinced that this will be the answer to reaching his friend. I was surprised though that Dan didn't spend more time telling his friend stories throughout rather than waiting until the very end of the book, but it's really a small quibble. Given my background in speech pathology and TBI, I think it boils down to that I was looking at the medical pieces of a TBI, the coma stimulation, physical and occupational therapies, and the story was more about the emotional and friendship aspects, Dan searching for answers, the comic book, Dan's relationship with his mom and father and even the upcoming championship game to name a few. How those things changed while Nate was in the hospital and how Dan felt about his role in Nate being injured. There's even the side story of George Sanderson which reminded me of James O' Barr writing the Crow to deal with his own personal tragedy. This is Negron's debut novel and it's a very strong one, I've seen it compared to John David Anderson's work and totally can see this. I'm looking forward to seeing what he writes next.
** A huge thank you to Blue Slip Media and Harper Collins for the ARC **
Publisher:Kane Miller Books Number of Pages: 192 Published: 2020 Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review
Opening Line: "Anna Dupont stepped out of the taxi and saw Hotel Flamingo for the first time."
The Hotel Flamingo is the first book in the series. It's been three years since a guest has checked in at the Hotel Flamingo, but the new owner, Anna Dupont has plans to change things around. There's a glitzy new hotel on the hill that seems to have taken all of her business away, but T. Bear and Lemmy have stayed on at the hotel tending to their one guest, Mrs. Turpington, whose been in hibernation for the past three years. Despite everything, Anna is sure that with a little hard work, hiring some new staff, and lots of elbow grease, the Hotel Flamingo can regain its past glory. Anna has a vision of remaking the hotel into the go-to spot for the city, a place that welcomes all. This is really a fun introduction to the series and the black and white illustrations by Alex Milway with pink hues really make the story. I would have loved if they all were in color like the cover, but they are so lovely either way.
Holiday Heat Wave by Alex Milway
Format: Paperback
Publisher:Kane Miller Books Number of Pages: 192 Published: 2020 Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review
Opening Line: "In the blazing heat of summer, a long black limousine pulled up outside the Hotel Flamingo."
Holiday Heat Wave is the second book in the Hotel Flamingo series. Anna has been successful with running the Hotel Flamingo so much so that the King and Queen Penguin want to make reservations to stay at her hotel. That is if she can adhere to their strict list of demands. They want to be greeted with a red carpet, be serenaded by a string quartet, their room must be decorated in a specific way, and there just must be an iceberg in the pool. Can Anna and her staff live up to their demands for perfection?
I really enjoyed the summery feel of Holiday Heat Wave. It's quite amusing to have penguins showing up at a hotel in the middle of a heatwave expecting to have an iceberg in the pool. Anna is quite industrious and ultimately gets them what they want, with a few mishaps due to sabotage from someone trying to undermine the hotel and make them look bad in front of their first royal guests. I quite enjoy the illustrations by the author, Alex Milway. They're lively and the pink hues do match the theme of hotel flamingo. This would be a fun series for summer reading and especially for someone who enjoys animal stories. I'm excited to be able to donate it to my public library for kids to enjoy.
**Thank you to Kane Miller Publishing for the review copies.**
Britfield & the Lost
Crown is the first book in a thrilling seven-part series for middle school and
young adult readers. It will inspire children to engage both their creativity
and their critical thinking skills as they encounter actual places, authentic characters,
and exciting but realistic events in seventeen action-packed chapters.
Based on family, friendship,
loyalty, and courage, Britfield & the Lost Crown and its hero, Tom, take
readers on an epic adventure across England – from the smoldering crags of
Yorkshire to the heart of London and, finally, to the magnificent shores of
Dover.
With help from his best
friend, Sarah, and a hot air balloon, Tom flees Yorkshire, escaping from
Weatherly Orphanage and the clutches of a relentless detective, in pursuit of
the truth about himself and his heritage: Are his parents still alive? Is he
the true heir to the British throne? As Tom and a memorable cast of both heroic
and dastardly characters unravel a royal mystery that could change the course
of history, readers are taken on a breathless journey to a surprise ending that
will leave them clamoring for more.
Built on more than seven
years of extensive research and development, Britfield & the Lost Crown
creates a real-world that readers can embrace as it weaves accurate geography,
literature, architecture, and history into its fast-paced story. With
stimulating language and active writing, Britfield engages the reader from the
first pages and doesn’t let go until it reaches its exciting conclusion.
Reviews for BRITFIELD
& THE LOST CROWN
"The story was
everything the cover promised. I felt like I was in a kid version of Mission
Impossible. I was on the edge of my seat with narrow escapes, daring plans, and
unexpected adversaries."- Reader Views Kids, Autumn, Age 14
"Along with its relentless action and suspense, Stewart's novel provides
young readers with a wealth of information about British culture (with frequent
references to literary classics) and the history of the Monarchy and the
Anglican Church. Highly recommended, Britfield and the Lost Crown will
appeal to both young readers and their parents."- Parents' Choice
Awards - Gold Medal
"In this series opener, Stewart offers nearly nonstop action, with
escapades both perilous and amusing, and exhilarating hairsbreadth escapes. The
conspiracy is bold and compelling while the plot folds in intriguing facts
about British culture, history, and famous sites."- Kirkus Reviews
"A perfect mixture of fast-paced excitement, heart-stopping
surprises, fascinating history, and endearing characters with historical
references scattered along the way. Stewart's clever narrative draws you in and
doesn't let you go till the end!"
- Reader's Favorite Book Reviews, Dawn Weaver - 5 Stars
"A joy to read to the very last page, Britfield & The Lost Crown is
a high-spirited saga, enthusiastically recommended for personal and public
library young adult fiction collections."- Midwest Book Review
"An Intriguing first-in-series read that is sure to capture the attention
of the middle grade and young adult crowd. Britfield weaves
plot, texture, storytelling, and fascinating characters into a winning
combination and enriching experience."- Chanticleer Book Review
- 5 Stars
"This fast-paced, vivid tale has many twists and turns which keep tween
readers turning the pages,"- Eric Hoffer Award
"A thrilling tale with loads of adventure and unexpected twists that will
captivate youth audiences. Recommended for home and school libraries."- Children's
Literary Classics - Gold Medal
"This is a far-flung adventure story that will readily interest the target
audience. Stewart writes in clear, descriptive prose and integrates alluring
and novel details that at times harkens back to an earlier era, an effect that
offers an element of timelessness to the storytelling."- The
Booklife Prize
"Such a thrilling book filled with so much awesome history about
England, crazy mysteries, and truly amazing characters. It had me hooked every
second of reading it!!
-Hannah, Age 13, Kids' Book Buzz - 5 Stars
"Narrator Ian Russell carries listeners along for a thrilling, fast-paced
adventure about two kids, Tom and Sarah, who run away from a bleak Yorkshire
orphanage. Pursued by a determined police detective, they face even more danger
when Tom discovers a clue about his ancestry that may link him to the royal
family and a plot to eliminate his bloodline--including him. With varied
accents and voices, Russell transports listeners to England and brings each
character to life. As hot-air balloon crashes, several narrow escapes, and a
white-knuckle chase through London ensue, Russell ramps up the pace of his
narration, making the danger all the more palpable."- Audiofile
Magazine
Tom and Sarah's
adventures are masterfully narrated by award-winning voice actor Ian Russell,
who provides memorable voices to all the tale's characters. Along with its
relentless action and suspense, Stewart's novel provides young readers with a wealth of information about British culture (with frequent references to
literary classics) and the history of the Monarchy and the Anglican Church.
Highly recommended, Britfield and the Lost Crown will appeal
to both young readers and their parents." - Parents' Choice Foundation - Gold Medal Award
Book Trailer:
Excerpt from BRITFIELD & THE LOST CROWN
A
strong breeze shot across the sky as Sarah and Tom followed the pack
of balloons over Oxfordshire. Known as the Thames Valley, this lush
countryside was a multicolored patchwork of square farmlands
crisscrossed by hedgerows and rock walls. The Thames River gracefully
snaked through the open fields covered with extravagant mansions
built centuries ago. Although most of the balloons headed toward
Canterbury, some floated off in opposite directions. By
mid-afternoon, most of them had vanished. Tom and Sarah followed
behind a few but soon lost them in the hazy clouds. Every so often,
Tom gave the balloon a long blast of hot air to maintain its
altitude. While they drifted southeast toward London, their main
concern was Gowerstone. Peering through the binoculars,
Tom
searched for the helicopter.
“I
don’t see him.”
“Do
you think he gave up?”
“No,”
he replied quickly. “He’ll never give up.”
“We
seem safe for now.”
“For
the moment,” he added with caution.
As
Sarah admired the scenery, Tom reached into his pocket to retrieve
her locket.
“This
really does bring me luck,” he concluded, handing it to her.
“Thanks for letting me borrow it.”
“It’s
yours, silly,” she smiled, pushing it back. “Just promise you’ll
always keep it with you.”
“But
—”
“Promise.”
“All
right . . . it’s a deal.” Stuffing it back in his pocket, he felt
the piece of paper Patrick gave him and removed it.
“What’s
that?” she inquired curiously.
“Before
we left, Patrick broke into the Grievouses’ office and looked
through my file. He wrote something down.”
“Let’s
see.”
Tom
opened it. Scribbled across the page was just one word.
“Hmm,”
he grunted, expecting detailed information.
“What
does it say?” she demanded.
“Britfield.”
“Britfield?
What the heck does that mean?”
“How
am I supposed to know?”
“There
must be more.” She snatched the paper from his hand and thoroughly
examined both sides. Dissatisfied, she shook her head. “So Patrick
breaks into the office, sneaks your file out, and writes only one
word on it — is he mad?”
“I’m
sure he was in a hurry,” his voice deepened, “given that we were
planning to rescue you and everything.”
“Then
it’s a clue?”
“It’s
a name.”
“Maybe
it’s your last name,” she suggested encouragingly.
This
comment caught Tom off guard. After all these years of having only a
first name, it was a lot to digest and felt rather strange.
“Maybe,”
he shrugged, not sure what to think
About C.R.Stewart:
Born in Newport Beach,
California, C. R. Stewart has twenty years of experience writing fiction,
nonfiction, and movie screenplays. His areas of expertise also include film
and media production, global strategy, and international marketing.
“Britfield & The Lost Crown
was conceived as an idea over 10 years ago while enduring a boring finance
seminar. It started as a sketch of a hot air balloon with a young boy and girl
trapped inside. From this simple drawing sprang the entire concept and story
for Britfield.”
C.R. Stewart received a Bachelor
of Arts in British Literature and European History from Brown University; did
post-graduate work at Harvard University; earned an MBA from Boston College;
and is pursuing a Master of Science in Advanced Management and a Ph.D. in
Strategy.
Now based in San Diego, C.R.
Stewart is a strong supporter of education and the arts. He enjoys world
travel, reading, riding, swimming, sailing, tennis, and is currently on a
National School Book Tour with Britfield & The Lost Crown speaking to
students on the importance of creativity!
About the Book:
